Gates, Muhammad named as TTU Strength All-Americans

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - The National Strength and Conditioning
Association (NSCA) recently awarded Tennessee Tech's Kaleigh Gates
and Elijah Muhammad with its annual All-American Strength and
Conditioning Athlete of the Year award.

The honor recognizes student-athletes' dedication to strength
training and conditioning. This year, the NSCA awarded 232
collegiate athletes from 106 schools with the honor.

Gates, a catcher and outfielder for the Golden Eagles, is
currently batting .317, ranks second on the team in home runs with
seven and has the second highest on-base percentage at .445.
She also has the highest slugging percentage on the team at .548.

A native of Tuscon, Ariz., she has shown continued improvement
at the plate over the course of her years at Tech.

"Kaleigh has been a pleasure to train for the past three years,"
said Chip Pugh, TTU strength and conditioning coach. "She always
demonstrates a tremendous attitude and top-notch work ethic.”

"Even when she is away from campus, it is obvious she works hard
to develop further in her conditioning levels. With a
170-pound Power Clean, solid conditioning, and the ability to push
her body to the limit, Kaleigh is well-equipped to have another
great year on the field,” Pugh said

Muhammad was awarded the John P. Hendrix Leadership Award and
was voted MVP for the 2010 season by his teammates.
Additionally, he was presented with the Minority Affairs Athlete of
the Year award.

He led his team on the floor this season, averaging 32.1 minutes
per game and shooting over 40 percent from the floor and behind the
arc. He also ranked first on the team with an 83.8% shooting
mark from the foul line, and led the team in steals with 44,
defensive rebounds with 106, and assists with 143.

"Elijah is one of the best leaders I have ever coached," Pugh
said. "His greatest strength lies in his ability to impact his
teammates during our training sessions. Elijah’s energy
is contagious. His leadership both vocally and by example has
pushed our basketball team’s work ethic to another level the
past two years.

"Physically, he gives every ounce of his potential within our
sessions," Pugh continued. “He wants to win every
drill, and often does. His relentless work ethic will be
sorely missed when he graduates.”

The NSCA All-American Athlete of the Year Award program is in
its 32nd year, and is made possible by a grant from
Power Systems, Inc., of Knoxville, Tenn.

"The advantages of strength training and conditioning cannot be
denied in collegiate athletics," said Robert Jursnick, NSCA's
Executive Director. "These student-athletes attest to this
understanding; and are to be applauded for their hard work and
dedication."